Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/13/09

    Fairfield junior defender Kelly Barnes (Jenkintown) was named to the preseason All-MAAC team and the Stags were picked to win the league crown in voting by the head coaches.

    The Stags received 47 points in the poll of the league’s seven head coaches, seven more than second place Marist College (40). Canisius College was selected third, with 37 points, and was followed by Iona College (26), Manhattan College (23), Siena College (15) and Niagara University (8). Fairfield earned six of the seven first-place votes in the poll.

    Barnes, a junior defender, is a two-time MAAC All-Tournament Team selection. Over the course of her two-year career (37 games) she has 31 caused turnovers, 34 draw controls and 12 points, on 11 goals.

    The Stags posted a 17-2 mark last season, a program-record for wins. Fairfield earned the MAAC regular season crown with a perfect 6-0 mark, before falling in the MAAC Tournament.

    Fairfield will open the 2009 season on Feb. 22 with a road game at Monmouth, before opening the home portion of its schedule versus Yale on Feb. 25.

1. Fairfield 47

2. Marist 40

3. Canisius 37

4. Iona 26

5. Manhattan 23

6. Siena 15

7. Niagara 8

The Preseason All-MAAC team consists of Canisius’ Chelsea Martinez and Fairfield’s Erin Rigby at attack. Joining Coleman in the midfield is teammate Rebecca White, Canisius’ Ashley Gray, Manhattan’s Tara Convery and Keri Morrison, and Marist’s Stephanie Garland and Carolyn Sumcizk. Canisius’ Alison Rusak, Fairfield’s Kelly Barnes, Iona’s Charlotte Tietjen, and Marist’s Ashley Dattellas make up the defense. Fairfield’s Lauren Chatnik was selected as the goalkeeper.

Tags: Jenkintown